Review by Adam on March 23, 2001.

The Crown has always been one of Sweden's most proudest exports and with this release they have placed themselves on a high pedistal in Sweden's overcrowded metal market. Lets begin with the production of the album...Fredrick Nordstrom...okay I am finished. Is there really anything else to say? Every instrument comes out crystal clear and the band, as a whole, is tighter than ever. Drummer Janne completely destroys his set and Marko and Magnus show their true guitar brilliance. Songs like Executioner and Devil Gate Ride will brutalize you and leave you in utter awe.

Many of the songs are quite catchy as well if you ask me. Tunes like Rebel Angel are metal anthems and even get you to start singing along with the words with your devil horns in the air. This band has gotten better with each release they have put out so far, so no doubt am I looking foward to the band's follow up. These guys make excellent and technically impressive thrash/death metal that leaves you begging for more.

Bottom Line: If you like your music fast and your volume loud, then this album is for you!

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Adam on October 26, 2004.

The Crown is back and so is their original singer Johan Lindstrand. The minute I heard the news that he was returning to the band I jumped for joy. Lindstand has always been one of my favorite vocalists and on Possessed 13 he proves again just how perfect he is for this band and how perfect the band is for him.

Possessed 13 sounds like the perfect follow-up to Deathrace King. While Crowned in Terror was a good album, it saw the band heading backwards slightly musically. Their new album is more or less a continuation of where they were heading on Deathrace King with more of a melodic presence. There are even two instrumentals tracks featured of Possessed 13 which show that even a band as intense as The Crown can chill out for a little while.

Again drummer Janne Saarenpaa pulls out all the stops and delivers an amazing performance. This guy is the drumfill master. The most surprising thing on this album to me is definitely the guitar work. On Possessed 13 The Crown has found a unique way to incorporate some melody into their music without tainting with their trademark sound. My favorite song on here would have to be the song 'Kill Em All.' This is an old school thrash song through and through. Maybe Metallica will get the subtle hint eh? Well one can only dream.

The Crown has matured a bit on Possessed 13 but they still know when and how to have fun. Most of you should be familiar with this band by now but for those unfortunate few who are not I urge you to pick up this album and let the headbanging begin. For the rest of us, Possessed 13 is a triumphant return to dominance from one of Sweden's most exciting and dangerous metal bands.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8.5
Originality: 7
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Michael on March 8, 2021.

Wow, I'm in for another big surprise in my old age. Last album I bought (and still own) from The Crown is now 23 years old. After the Hell is Here they could not really convince me anymore but with Royal Destroyer it's different.

After a short intro, The Crown hit out with 'Let The Hammering Begin' the first cool song. The guitar riffs remind me quite a bit of old Slayer in places and the drums set a furiously fast tempo.'Motordeath' is a pretty cool song title and from the structures of it, a typicalThe Crown song. 'Ultra Faust' (also a cool name, because Faust means fist in German), which starts pretty dragging, but in the further course increases in speed and from the vocals and intonation reminds me of David Vincent in "Illud Divinum Insanus" times. 'Glorious Hades' is almost an epic song already in which the guitars remind me of Bathory's Viking phase. A pretty calm mid tempo song that spreads great atmosphere.

The next two tracks are again typical The Crown songs, which offer no big surprises. 'Devoid of Light' is a homage to Morbid Angel at "Domination" times. The song structures and the vocals at the beginning sound absolutely like "Where the Slime Lives", but the song picks up speed little by little. 'We Drift On' is another slow song, which strongly reminds of old Metallica or Heathen from the guitar arrangements. A song that definitely creates goosebumps and leaves you slightly melancholic. 'Beyond the Frail' at the end is another highspeed song, which however does not beat through continuously, but offers a certain variety.

The question remains. Why haven't I really paid attention to The Crown in years, but find Royal Destroyer really compelling? I think it's because of the varied songs that don't sound the same as in the past, but offer some surprises. Cool disc!!!!

Rating: 9 out of 10